Building record 662/2/1 - Manor House, Abthorpe

Farmhouse. Dated 1638, restored C20. Coursed squared limestone with ironstone dressings, slate roof, stone ridge stacks.

{1} Farmhouse. Dated 1638, restored C20. Coursed squared limestone with ironstone dressings, slate roof, stone ridge stacks. L-plan. 2 storeys and attic. C20 door to left of main range in moulded stone surround with segmental head and hood mould extending over one-light windows either side of angle between main range and projecting wings, with double-chamfered stone surrounds. A 3-light stone mullion window to ground floor right with hood mould and similar 2-light window to first floor above door. Projecting wing to left has one-light window to ground floor near inner angle with moulded stone surround and lintel inscribed DAIRY and small window to first floor near gable with chamfered stone surround. Gable end of projecting wing has 3-light stone mullion windows with hood moulds to ground, first and attic floors, partly renewed. Phoenix fire insurance plaque in gable just below re-cut datestone inscribed 1638/IKM. Stone-coped gables with kneelers. Interior noted as having stop-chamfered spine beams; open fireplace with stone jambs and timber 4-centred arched head.

{3} L-shaped stone and slate two and a half storey building. On the gable is a datestone with the incription IKM 1637. The stone mullioned windows are flat splayed of ferruginous stone (mostly restored) and fit in with the datestone. The exceptions are the square mullioned windows of the cellar under the wing which are circa 1700 and two small square windows that lit cupboards and are of limestone.
From the disorganised plan of the building it is apparent that it is of more than one phase and considerably earlier than the datestone. There is just sufficient evidence to suggest that the building is medieval and probably a hall house - a fourteenth or possible thirteenth century date is possible.

{4} Undated photo;

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 14/9 (checked) (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<2> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), F08 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN45262.

<3> Giggins, B., 1986, The Manor House, Abthorpe, (checked) (Report). SNN76702.

<4> Photographs of buildings in Abthorpe (Photographs). SNN111844.

<5> Bailey, B, Pevsner, N, and Cherry, B, 2013, The Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, p. 76 (Book). SNN111989.

Record last edited

Jan 31 2025 9:36AM